This is a two-semester sequence that covers a variety of topics in quantum and atomic physics. It is to a great extent the culmination of the undergraduate physics curriculum, pulling together many ideas from other courses, adding quantum theory, and applying them to real systems. The first semester begins with the theory of relativity and then follows with a long introduction to quantum mechanics. The second semester focuses mainly on applications of quantum mechanics to atoms and other more complex systems.

This is a two-semester sequence that covers a variety of topics in quantum and atomic physics. It is to a great extent the culmination of the undergraduate physics curriculum, pulling together many ideas from other courses, adding quantum theory, and applying them to real systems. The first semester begins with the theory of relativity and then follows with a long introduction to quantum mechanics. The second semester focuses mainly on applications of quantum mechanics to atoms and other more complex systems.

Here is a more detailed list of topics:

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Introduction to Relativity in four-vector notation

Experimental evidence of energy quantization

Old quantum theory

deBroglie waves

Wave packets and the uncertainty principle

The Schrodinger wave equation

Standing wave solutions and the energy eigenvalue equation

Examples:

Barrier penetration

Bound states in a square well

Harmonic Oscillator

Operators, expectation values and momentum space

Commutation relations and operator methods

Formal postulates of QM

Expansion of the wave function in terms of eigenfunctions

Measurement theory

Simultaneous eigenfunctions

Three-dimensional problems

Central forces and the angular momentum operators

Hydrogen atom

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Spin operators and eigenfunctions

Angular momentum coupling

Fine structure in hydrogen

Perturbation theory

Identical particles and permutation symmetry

Helium atom

Variational principle

Diatomic molecules

Time-dependent perturbation theory

Quantum transitions

Stimulated emission

Scattering theory

Quantum statistics

Free-electron theory of conductors

Conduction bands

Topics in nuclear and particle physics

This course heavily uses the mathematical and physical tools developed in the previous courses of the physics major. Calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations are used extensively in the course.

A typical text used is Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, by Griffiths.

Typical course work for each semester includes homework assignments, hour exams, and a final.